Donington Saturday 28th July 2012
As the Spectator was still in a state of shock & general mental confusion following his weekend spent at Donington for the European Le Mans Series, I couldn't bring myself to go to any motor sport on the 21/22 July weekend! With batteries almost fully recharged it was back for more punishment, sorry enjoyment, at Donington on Saturday for the visit of the Historic Racing Drivers Club. The HRDC is a new club this year that has been started by Julius Thurgood who, having formed the Masters series of Historic events, left and created another set of races for the very busy Historic motor racing scene.
The grandly titled Coys International Trophy meeting consisted of 5 races with 3 being of 1 hour duration which were TC63/TC65 (for Pre'64 & Pre'66 Historic Group 2 Touring Cars), Touring Greats (for Pre '60 Touring Cars) and GTS65 (for over 1500cc Sports/GT cars) and 2 races of half hour length which were MGB50 (a series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the car) and Grand Touring Greats (for sub 1500cc GT cars)
An unusual start to the day was the scheduling of 2, 25 minutes test sessions before qualifying which gave competitiors extra track time. I'm not sure it was needed particularly as there was a fair amount of mechanical problems as the day wore on which is understandable with historic machinery on a demanding circuit for engine wear. It was nice to see some unusual cars out on track with the highlight of the day being the Touring Greats race with cars such as a Volvo Amazon, Standard Vanguard & Borgward Isabella. Not the kind of cars you see very often! It was in the Touring Greats race that the safety car made its only appearance of the day following an Austin A35 roll at McLeans without injury to the driver. The Spectator heard it but didn't see it as I was at Coppice corner looking the other way.......
A good day all in all, but as is usual at Donington, another long day with the last race finishing at 6.51pm. The weather stayed warm and dry with a stiff breeze at times. Admission was £10 (£5 DPRAC discount) and a free race card was issued. I liken these 4 page folded race cards to a menu list at at a take away but at least it contained all the relevant information. I ordered the Chicken Fried Rice by the way......
The grandly titled Coys International Trophy meeting consisted of 5 races with 3 being of 1 hour duration which were TC63/TC65 (for Pre'64 & Pre'66 Historic Group 2 Touring Cars), Touring Greats (for Pre '60 Touring Cars) and GTS65 (for over 1500cc Sports/GT cars) and 2 races of half hour length which were MGB50 (a series celebrating the 50th anniversary of the car) and Grand Touring Greats (for sub 1500cc GT cars)
An unusual start to the day was the scheduling of 2, 25 minutes test sessions before qualifying which gave competitiors extra track time. I'm not sure it was needed particularly as there was a fair amount of mechanical problems as the day wore on which is understandable with historic machinery on a demanding circuit for engine wear. It was nice to see some unusual cars out on track with the highlight of the day being the Touring Greats race with cars such as a Volvo Amazon, Standard Vanguard & Borgward Isabella. Not the kind of cars you see very often! It was in the Touring Greats race that the safety car made its only appearance of the day following an Austin A35 roll at McLeans without injury to the driver. The Spectator heard it but didn't see it as I was at Coppice corner looking the other way.......
A good day all in all, but as is usual at Donington, another long day with the last race finishing at 6.51pm. The weather stayed warm and dry with a stiff breeze at times. Admission was £10 (£5 DPRAC discount) and a free race card was issued. I liken these 4 page folded race cards to a menu list at at a take away but at least it contained all the relevant information. I ordered the Chicken Fried Rice by the way......
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